Home prices dip as seasonal slowdown starts

Thursday

Dec 27, 2012 at 2:00 AMDec 27, 2012 at 9:34 AM

Home prices in the nation's 20 biggest cities dipped 0.1 percent in October from the prior month but rose strongly from the same month last year, according to a closely watched index, indicating the start of the seasonal slowdown in home prices.

Los Angeles Times

Home prices in the nation's 20 biggest cities dipped 0.1 percent in October from the prior month but rose strongly from the same month last year, according to a closely watched index, indicating the start of the seasonal slowdown in home prices.

It was the first month-over-month dip after six months of gains for the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of 20 large cities. The index was up 4.3 percent compared with October 2011.

"Looking over this report, and considering other data on housing starts and sales, it is clear that the housing recovery is gathering strength," said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee. "Higher year-over-year price gains plus strong performances in the Southwest and California, regions that suffered during the housing bust, confirm that housing is now contributing to the economy."